When the Cheshire emerges...

My venture to the cinema on Thursday night was different to most other weeks. I had unexpected but lovely company, and I finally saw the trailer for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire which was awesome. I can't wait. Great excuse to read the books again if I have the time.

Now to the review, a film long awaited and carrying mixed views from reviewers elsewhere. I rather liked it. And yes, I have read the book.

The Great Gatsby (M)

As promised, here's last week's review. Better than The Hangover Part III.

Snitch (M)

Looking out for each other in the most general sense is a core societal function. Communities band together through the good and the bad, and laws are made to make sure those who are doing the right thing are safe and those not are punished.

Bringing that into question brings about moral conflict and disarray. The United States is suggested to have found itself in that position, home to a legal system wrought with the concept humans are easily swayed into betrayal for their own benefit.

Jason (Rafi Gavron) is a teenager caught in that trap when busted for possessing a large amount of pills. He was set up by his best friend, who had his own jail time reduced as a result. When Jason finds his only way out is to snitch, he refuses.

Moral standing is all well and good, but the situation doesn't cut it with his father John (Dwayne Johnson). A construction business owner who makes a deal to work with the government and capture drug dealer Malik (Michael K Williams), John is desperate to regain the son he had once almost lost.

The seedy and flourishing areas of a Midwestern American city are highlighted with stark result. John and his family live well, but he has to lie about what he's doing to reduce Jason's sentence. His connection to the drug world Daniel (Jon Bernthal) is an ex-con in the slums trying to do his best to stay honest and clean for his own family.

There's doubt placed in John's faith from the top end as he finds Agent Cooper (Barry Pepper) and Joanne (Susan Sarandon) at arms length with him and each other. It's a test of wills for a man forced into an impossible situation.

Johnson moves into more serious territory in this role and does it without fuss. He is the film's pivot as both emotional father and resilient crim catcher, able to balance the two nicely. But Bernthal is just as good as Daniel, finding the fight to do the right thing even if it means taking a step back.
Inspired by a documentary about the changes to the United States federal drug policy encouraging the incarcerated to snitch on their accomplices, it raises those questions about moral structure in society and where we stand.

Waugh's offering can't provide the answer in any straightforward form. Instead, with guns introduced as the violence escalates, it subconsciously raises another, more pressing, question of the day. There's no easy solution to that one either.

Rating: 3.5/5

So I totally reminisced ahead of tonight...

And I thought I'd be Lena from 2010 tonight. I'm still supporting Greece all the way though.


Let's get this show on the road!

Quick wrap of my immediate thoughts, let me know what you thought!

1. Latvia: Here we go! Made for a great start. Glitter suits with no shirts a bit intense for their tightness and brightness. Crowdsurfing and all. In the end, a really fun song.

2. San Marino: A shaky start from Valentina, who had that horrible social network song last year - this was a ballad, then tried to get epic. But still only OK.

3. FYR of Macedonia: What a random song. Mixing near dubstep, crazy old woman like the babushkas and a hot young guy. Pretty likeable in the Eurovisionverse.

4. Azerbaijan: Grey velvet suit, Joey Tribbiani look-alike. An alter-ego in a box and woman in mullet dress. Song was pretty good though, and dancing "supports the song as opposed to confusing you". Nice one, Julia.

5. Finland: WOAH. 80s Madonna mullet dress, questionable lyrics and a girl-on-girl kiss to end it. Intense.

6. Malta: Really cute song, a bit folky and poppy. The guy liked interacting with the crowd and I liked his outfit and happy face.

7. Bulgaria: Wow, mixing dance and traditional sounds with immobile backup singers in national costume. REALLY liked it, it was more Eurovision than a LOT of what's been seen so far.

8. Iceland: Blonde rocker in a suit doing some hand actions to a power ballad. Sounded nice, but I wouldn't pick it.



9. Greece: Wow! HUGE! Ska outfit with an oldie and a mini bouzouki, singing about how alcohol is free. In my head, that's a wonderful thought. They truly brought it.

10. Israel: Looks like she's out of a soapie with the soft lighting, sideswept hair and 80s glasses. Very strong ballad.

11. Armenia: LOVED the guy's outfit, very casual. The song was OK too, soft rock ballad. Was hoping for a wind machine but they gave fire instead.

12. Hungary: Hottie alert, singer AND guitarist. Hipsters rule for 2013. Song was a bit weak though, disappointing.

13. Norway: Someone in white! Woo! Gorgeous studded maxi dress, and a killer song. Scandipop fever hit Eurovision with this one, a Bjork/Robyn-friendly number. Excellent.

14. Albania: Threatened to be another Bulgaria. But a rocker edge. Suit wiht no shirt again. Brought it - but not metal enough, we haven't had that!

15. Georgia: Disney fairytale-style duet. Written by the guy who did 'Euphoria'. Wasn't a fan by the end which was disappointing. Gorgeous stage presence, but no Aladdin and Jasmine.

16. Switzerland: Well done to the 95-year-old cellist for staying awake. He looked scared when the singer was in his face though. That was more interesting than the song.

17: Romania: WOAH.

My life will never be the same after this song. Ever. #SBSEurovision #Romania
— Katina V (@Katiinkaa) May 18, 2013

Nuff said.

***

Of those getting through: pretty happy with the results. Thankfully I knew Greece were getting through, otherwise I'd have almost have had a cardiac arrest by the end of it.

Will likely not blog tomorrow, but look on my Twitter account for updates and follow me on Storify. Check out my tweets from tonight on Storify before then!

My brief thoughts on each song from the first semi-final of Eurovision 2013. Overall, a bit of a dud to be honest. A bit disappointed.

1. Austria: White. Shiny pants. Sounds pretty good. Bit of a meh 'inspirational' song though.

2. Estonia: B&aW camera work. Pretty, singing lovely. Gorgeous white babydoll dress, just hangs (pregnant). White again. Or cream? Love it. Dreamy with the fog, romantic.

3. Slovenia: Ooh, great start. But her voice isn't great. Like the dance beat and the bird inspiration with the top though. Black leather.

4. Croatia: Opera group of men. Harmonious enough, nice voices. One good looking. But not grabbing me. Yes Sam, boy bands ARE getting older.

Photo: oikotimes.com

5. Denmark: Brought it with the 'rain' at the end. Defs channeling Loreen with the frizzy hair and bare feet. An upbeat song, not surprised it's the fave.

6. Russia: A Swedish-written song. Really nice. Flowing maxi again, this time a dusty pink with cream lace sleeves.

7. Ukraine: One of top three favourites. Fairytale theme... hm. Maxi dress, but tight wiht fishtail. Tall man on stage, 8foot. Good voice, but not that impressed by the song.

8. The Netherlands: Former Dutch Alanis Morrisette. Sounded alright but didn't really go anywhere.

Photo: Calgary Herald

9. Montenegro: FINALLY. Bit of dubstep with strobe lights and futuristic astronauts. Brought it.

10. Lithuania: Hottest guy so far. Leather jacket, scruffy hair. Like. The song? A bit 80s actually. OK.

11. Belarus: Small, hot Eastern bloc chick in a tiny shimmy dress. Europop... but not that great.

12. Moldova: Epic gown with mega pleated shoulder, great swept up do. Epic. Don't mind this. Like the effects that make her dress change.

13. Ireland: Leather jacket again. But his hair is much more groomed. So pretty. Irish dance... hello.

Euroclub beats, tribal drums and hardcore leather... wow. Commendation for the bold attempt to mash all #SBSEurovision loves.
— Katina V (@Katiinkaa) May 17, 2013

14. Cyprus: In Greek. Another maxi, with lace. She's gorgeous. And this is a REALLY good entry from them. Lovely.

15. Belgium: Liked it, although his face was uber expressive with bushy eyebrows. Lyrics, crazy dancers, a smatter of dubstep.

16. Serbia: Kawaii! Japan comes to Eurovision. A bit of fun but again, not too great.

And that was it. Went way too quickly!

***

MONTENEGRO miss out. ROBBED.

CYPRUS miss out. Unfortunate.

Not terribly impressed here.

To see my (and other) tweets from the night, check out my Storify timeline:

Until tomorrow lovelies.

I decided I was going to host a party for anyone who wanted to come around tonight, tomorrow and Sunday as Eurovision weekend FINALLY kicks off in Australia.

This was only on Wednesday.

With two days to think about how I could make it more than just sitting in front of a TV with some nibbles for food (although I've got plenty of that and plan to actually cook for the final), I consulted the SBS website on how to make it a party.

But looking at what to wear, I didn't have time to source crazy glitter outfits. Any stuff I have possibly relevant is back in Adelaide!

So I decided to look to some of the recent successes and found their fashion choices to be rather minimalist.

For three nights of partying, these options are easy.

Night one: 2012

Loreen was amazing. Throwing away traditional Eurovision fare to ride to success with a minimalist performance and a great club track.

While I don't have anything like this cardigan, baggy black trousers and a flowy black dress (also keeping in trend with the mullet dress look) works fine. Let your hair down and feel the earth with your (bare) feet.

Flexible and comfy!

Just hold in that stomach reeeeeal tight.

**This costume also applies for Dima Bilan in 2006, just change to white shoes.

Night three: 2010


Lena stormed to a win with her distinctive voice and quirky lyrics - and she looked pretty great too. Then she upped the simple fashion stakes in 2011. Awesome.

Simple!

Do you think I've pulled it off? Have a favourite?

Are YOU attending a Eurovision party and dressing up?



Photo: Martin Waldbauer, 500px.com



Courtesy NBC News

Eurovision.

The most wonderful time of the year is here.

Last year I wrote the My decade of Eurovision series about my various quips and admirations of the song contest.

In 2013, my spirits rise once again in anticipation of the most exciting musical event of the year.

I have struggled to decide on whether to listen to some songs ahead of the semi-finals. But after last year's emphatic effort in raising the bar I'm worried that wouldn't do me any good. And I like it better when I'm finding out about the songs as they're performed.

One thing I'm still baffled about a year on though:

It's been three days and I STILL can't understand how @eurovision voters gave Tooji last place. I just want to give Norway a big hug...
— Katina V (@Katiinkaa) May 30, 2012

I still listen to it all the time. I don't understand Europe's thoughts sometimes...

That aside, look out for my thoughts during the semis and grand final. And always feel free to pipe in and join the conversation!

***
They used to say to scientists, "Do you believe in God?" and the scientist would respond, "No, I'm a scientist." Today, in the 21st century, if you ask a scientist, "Do you believe in God?" the scientist will say, "Of course. I'm a scientist!".

In any relationship in which two people become one, the end result is two half people.

Courtesy sheknows.com

Risk is only your evaluation of it.

You can reshape your thinking so that you never have to think in negatives again. You and only you choose your thoughts.

Some people believe that they live a life of lack because they're unlucky, instead of realising that their belief systems are rooted in scarcity thinking.

Only insecure people need security. Secure people know that there's no such thing. Security comes from within, when you know you can handle anything.

***
Why?

As today is Mother's Day, I thought it was only appropriate to dedicate a small post to my mum.

I think she's the best person in the world.

To be close to your mother is a very fortunate thing, as not everyone has the same opportunity. Mine is my best friend, who has helped me through many things and will hopefully continue to for a long time yet.

Love you Julie.

***
Get your nose out of everybody else's garden. Get your own in order, and stop focusing on everybody else's.

Well this is a little bit late, but seeing as Australia was one of the first to get this film I'm not so upset about it. I hope you're not either.

I loved it. And speaking as a 20-something and not as a professional journalist, Chris Pine is a bit of a babe. Just sayin'.

Star Trek Into Darkness (M)

DEEP space, the final frontier where man is yet to explore, was made to be imagined in 3D. JJ Abrams, being the sci-fi enthusiast he is, has brought that to everyone's attention ahead of his reinvention of that other galactic-themed saga.

While Star Wars Episode VII is another two years away, Abrams continues his service to the Trekkies of the world. His move into the world of 3D (and IMAX) technology was one Hollywood knew he would conquer.

What Abrams has also done is upped the ante. His first film, released in 2009, showed a younger Star Trek crew, one where Captain Kirk (Chris Pine) and Spock (Zachary Quinto) were not friends. Now, they've sorted out (some of) their differences and are tackling much bigger problems.

Benedict Cumberbatch is their biggest problem as the villain, a Starfleet officer who turns nasty and causes havoc after an attack on leading officers. Captain Kirk leads the USS Enterprise to deep space and the planet Kronos to bring his new nemesis down.



Courtesy collider.com

The planet is largely uninhabited and a no-go zone controlled by the Klingons. For Trekkies this is big, as their imagining over the years has varied significantly. But those not versed with the Star Trek world are just as involved in what's happening.

All of the gang returns, as does plenty of action, a few laughs and a two-hour plus running time. But scary problems in space do that to you, and the anticipation, met with a wonderfully pressuring score by Michael Giacchino, is well maintained.

Abrams' knack for adding elements of surprise within his visions is still prevalent, and he presents us with an unexpected turn or two as we see the crew of the Enterprise once again severely tested.
Of the cast, Quinto's Spock is level with the film in its entirety. His mental torment and restraint as events come to pass is absorbing as he struggles to decide on using or shutting out his ability to feel. His half-human, half-Vulcan genetics are muddling thoughts in his mind, as well as influences from his crew. That includes Lieutenant Uhura (Zoe Saldana).

Abrams will have pleased the majority of fans with a second prequel which maintains the camaraderie and story continuity of the Enterprise crew. Ships looming over planets and debris from battles look menacing in 3D, an element many sci-fi fans hope continues to live long and prosper.

Rating: 4/5


MISSED LAST WEEK'S REVIEW? See what I thought of The Big Wedding.

I wrote in my last post about the friendly side of Dubbo, and mentioned how I felt awkward after the confidence of strangers approaching me. But I want to talk about the other side now - where there's friendliness in a town there's also snobbiness.

Feeling lonely is not common for me, but when it comes around it makes me uneasy. As part of my social experiment of still trying to integrate into the Dubbo community (now 19 months in), I've become a part of the Dubbo Young Professionals Network (DYPN) which gives 'professionals' a chance to mingle. I went to my second gathering recently.

On getting there, I looked out for a familiar face and struggled.

At that moment, I had a rush of low self esteem wash over me like a tidal wave.

Doing things by myself isn't difficult - going to the movies every week, travelling, living alone - but when it comes to introducing myself to a complete stranger I freeze up. And truthfully, that hit me then and I really felt like shit.

Later on, I met a woman through a mutual friend that was great. We talked about the mental roadblock that comes with introductions as an adult and eventually decided to bite the bullet and say hi to fellow networkers.

The effect was immediate - but not positive. Of five girls in the circle, three completely ignored us and continued their own conversation. The other two were fine until someone else came up and proceeded to snigger when I explained to that person what I did for a living as they broke off into their own conversation. I'm not kidding.

My new friend (who I was so grateful to have met) and I walked out together and stood for a minute wondering what had happened. It was disappointing more than anything else. The majority of the group aren't from Dubbo, so you think everyone there would want to make friends.

With all of that though, a personal boundary was pushed. And that's a good thing. A work in progress.

***
A purpose isn't something that you're going to find. It's something that will find you. And it will find you only when you're ready and not before.

Dubbo is generally a friendly place to anyone walking down the street or visiting. People will often say hello to you as you walk past, and some are happy to help if you need a hand. I found myself saying good morning to a European tourist as I walked to work on Anzac Day...

I had that experience in quite the unique way on a recent day off.

Dubbo's Victoria Park

To paint a picture, I decided on a late-afternoon trip to the park to just lay in the dwindling sun and read. I did that, nearly fell asleep, then as I was coming to realise the sun was rapidly going, prepared myself to get up to leave.

I hear a yell, look ahead of me and see a group of Aboriginal girls walking in my direction. I return to reading before I hear a 'Hello' behind me. I sit up, and find five of them sitting down to make me part of their circle.

Around Dubbo, you see a lot of groups of Aboriginal kids walking around on any given day. I've never had the chance to interact with any of them in a quiet environment and I was curious, so I stuck around.

They were just on their way to the main street and needed a rest. They were all probably between 10 and 14, and a very inquisitive group. They asked me some very personal questions - that on first meeting someone weren't appropriate at all, but were in no way threatening. They thought I was about 18 too, which was nice...

It didn't seem like they had a lot to do, and I think like many tweens, they just wanted someone to give them some time. And I did that. I engaged with them, tried to ask them about general things. I admired their curiosity and, to be honest, how easy they found it to approach a stranger and speak to them - although being a bit older I soon found the whole thing a bit awkward. I got up and left once I found myself on the outer of their conversation; they'd made themselves comfortable and my rumbling stomach told me it was time to make an exit.

The whole thing reminded me of our younger years and how we want everyone to take us seriously, to think we're mature. Their confidence in approaching a stranger was a show of that youthfulness, but came across in a way many would consider to be abrupt. I mentioned the event to people who worried it was more sinister than what it was, but I refused to jump to those conclusions. Sometimes you just want to interact with someone out of your immediate zone.

I walked away knowing I'd done the right thing, in my own way having expressed the friendly nature of Dubbo.

***
You leave old habits behind by starting out with the thought,
I release the need for this in my life.

I just want to say how glad I actually am that it's May. I need a new month. It's been a really ordinary few weeks and hoping the stars are right in that I'll spend time this month with good people.

Each experience in your life was absolutely necessary in order to have gotten you to the next place, and the next, up until this very moment.

When the universe is presented with a problem, does it say, "I don't know how to deal with this"? No. The universe is perfect.

The only boundaries we have are in form. There are no obstacles in thought.

Love is forgiving... and love is for giving.

Chasing success is like trying to squeeze a handful of water. The tighter you squeeze, the less water you get. With success, when you chase it, your life becomes the chase, and you never arrive at a place called successful. You become a victim of wanting more.

Remember what Victor Huge told us: "Nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come."

All of the "stuff" in your life has arrived to serve you, rather than to make you a servant of the stuff.

Prejudice means to "pre-judge". When you do so, you're making a decision about something before you have enough data on which to base a decision.

If you get pushed around, you've been sending push-me-around signals.

When you truly know that your life has a grand and heroic mission, you'll realign yourself as a spiritual being.

***
Why?

I know I've been a bit quiet this week. It feels like it's been pretty full on, but only at times productive.

Anyway, here's your review! Another one to avoid though. Reading The Great Gatsby and salivating at the thought of how good the new film is going to be. No pressure Baz, no pressure.

The Big Wedding (MA 15+)

A MATRIMONIAL ceremony is a time when a family is meant to be most at peace, putting whatever problems there may be aside to come together for the central couple and having a nice time.
But what cinema has asked us time and time again to believe is that it never goes to plan. Not really.

Secrets come out, someone gets pissed off, someone else gets really hurt - and there’s usually a sexual undertone to the whole thing that suggests our primal instincts are what a decent portion of our lives come down to. In this over-exposed era, that undertone in cinema has well and truly come to the surface.

Justin Zackham, best known for The Bucket List, has a lot to contend with. The remake of 2006 French film Mon frere se marie deals with the Griffin family, who are preparing for their adopted son Alejandro’s (Ben Barnes) wedding to Missy O’Connor (Amanda Seyfried). The family tries to conceal that Don (Robert De Niro) and Ellie (Diane Keaton) have been long-divorced from Alejandro’s biological mother Madonna (Patricia Rae).

The first hurdle is watching that idea of fabrication try to unfold. By implementing the lie, Alejandro pushes Don’s long-time partner Bebe (Susan Sarandon) completely out of the picture. And you’re meant to believe someone would do this to a woman they’ve grown up around to please family from Colombia.

Zackham’s screenplay does the concept no favours. There’s a lot of awkward banter that goes nowhere as you wait to hear even one sentence form, and applying inappropriate humour usually seen between those in Judd Apatow’s circle (Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, etc) to borderline seniors doesn’t pull off and break any stereotypes.

The characters aren’t terribly interesting either. They might be spontaneous, but are incredibly shallow. Virginal 29-year-old Jared (Topher Grace) immediately sets his sights on Alejandro’s Colombian sister Nuria (Ana Avora), while Lyla (Katherine Heigl) just hates the whole family, especially her father Don.
Don and Lyla’s struggling relationship is the only thing that allows the smallest bit of emotion in between a plot that thickens into a steaming hot mess. While kept short at 89 minutes, it’s more than enough to see a family completely dismantle.

Instead, this story presents instead a group willing to stick by one another amidst all their faults - which is admirable but, with this family’s history, inconceivable. Trying to rescue a drowning story by a half-hearted attempt to weave in character backgrounds is disappointing to watch because it’s already a losing game.

Rating: 2/5


MISSED LAST WEEK'S REVIEW? See what I thought of Iron Man 3.